What is Americaine Otic (Benzocaine Otic)?
Benzocaine is a local anesthetic (numbing medication). It works by blocking nerve signals in your body.
Benzocaine otic is used to treat pain, itching, and irritation caused by infection or injury of the ear. Benzocaine will not treat the infection.
Benzocaine otic may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Americaine Otic (Benzocaine Otic)?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Before using benzocaine otic, tell your doctor if you have any allergies.
If you miss a dose, use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Do not place the dropper tip into your ear, or allow the tip to touch any surface. It may become contaminated. Wipe the tip of the medicine bottle with a clean tissue. Do not wash the dropper tip with water or soap.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse during the first few days of treatment with benzocaine otic.
Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine, or if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about unusual or bothersome any side effect.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Americaine Otic (Benzocaine Otic)?
Before using benzocaine otic, tell your doctor if you have any allergies.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether benzocaine otic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Americaine Otic Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Americaine Otic (Benzocaine Otic)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call you doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- skin rash
- severe itching or burning in your ear; or
- pain, redness, or swelling of your ear
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as mild stinging, burning, or irritation in the ear.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Americaine Otic Interactions
What other drugs affect Americaine Otic (Benzocaine Otic)?
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on benzocaine otic. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Americaine Otic (Benzocaine Otic)?
Avoid swimming until your ear infection has completely cleared up.
Do not use other ear drops unless your doctor has told you to.
Americaine Otic Dosage
How should I take Americaine Otic (Benzocaine Otic)?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Use this medicine only in the affected ear. You may not need to use it in both ears.
Wash your hands before using this medicine.
To use the ear drops, first remove the cap from the dropper bottle. Lie down or tilt your head with your ear facing upward. Pull back on your ear gently to open up the ear canal. Hold the dropper upside down over your ear canal and drop the correct number of ear drops into the ear.
Do not place the dropper tip into your ear, or allow the tip to touch any surface. It may become contaminated.
After using the ear drops, stay lying down or with your head tilted for at least 2 minutes. You may use a small piece of cotton to plug the ear and keep the medicine from draining out. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the use of cotton.
Wipe the tip of the medicine bottle with a clean tissue. Do not wash the dropper tip with water or soap.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse during the first few days of treatment with benzocaine otic.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I overdose on Americaine Otic (Benzocaine Otic)?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it.
What happens if I miss a dose of Americaine Otic (Benzocaine Otic)?
Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com